Legacy Phuket Gazette

Legacy Phuket Gazette

Archiving articles from the Phuket Gazette circa 1998 - 2017. View the Phuket Gazette online archive and Digital Gazette PDF Prints.
  • PropertyProperty: Small condos boost in sales

    Property: Small condos boost in sales

    PHUKET: A sea change set in for Phuket’s condominium market post-2008 with units smaller than 70 square meters now vastly outnumbering larger ones, according to in-depth research results by Knight Frank Thailand. Research director for Knight Frank Thailand, Risinee Sarikaputra, explained last month that prior to 2008, as much as 84% of Phuket’s condominium supply was larger than 70sqm, with…

  • Business NewsBusiness Buzz: Re-make marketing plans | Thaiger

    Business Buzz: Re-make marketing plans

    PHUKET: We all know that social media marketing is popular, but how can we best use it for our business to increase awareness, grow our customer base, make more sales and improve profitability? Targeting people using social media is easy if done correctly, but to be successful and get the best results, you need a blueprint to make sure everything…

  • Phuket NewsInternational sailors flock to Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek

    International sailors flock to Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek

    PHUKET: The island of Phuket is preparing for an influx of visitors in July, as more than 500 sailors and spectators from around the world flock to be part of the prestigious Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek 2015. Now in its 12th year, with this year’s event taking place from July 15-19, Phuket Raceweek’s reputation continues to grow as an…

  • Phuket NewsPolice drop case against Aussie expat charged for Phuket killing

    Police drop case against Aussie expat charged for Phuket killing

    PHUKET: Police have dropped the case against Australian expat and Phuket community member Mark Pendlebury for the fatal stabbing of a nightclub employee across the street from the island’s famed party strip, Soi Bangla, in March. The decision was made by police after CCTV footage surfaced backing claims that Mr Pendlebury had acted in self defence when confronted by 25-year-old…

  • Phuket NewsPolice postpone charging owner of fatal Phuket bungy-jump tower

    Police postpone charging owner of fatal Phuket bungy-jump tower

    PHUKET: Police are expected to press charges on Thursday against the owner of World Bungy Jump, the site of the death of a 25-year-old tourist last month. Vinat Chanthornwiboonkul will be charged with reckless endangerment as police continue to investigate the case of Kuwaiti Abdullah Adel Kadhmbadman, who died after jumping from the 30-meter bungy tower (story here). “Even though…

  • Business NewsFinance: Strong dollars for investors

    Finance: Strong dollars for investors

    PHUKET: One of the biggest and most unappreciated risks faced by global investors this year is the continued strength of the United States dollar holding back key investing asset classes. After all, a strong dollar tends to be a double-edged sword.BAD FOR LARGE CAP US STOCKS As foreign currencies weaken against the dollar, US stocks that are large cap multinational…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket’s annual Goat Fair returns [video] | Thaiger

    Phuket’s annual Goat Fair returns [video]

    PHUKET: Local farmers are gearing up for the 18th annual Phuket Goat Fair, which will be held June 11 through 13 behind Tesco Lotus in Cherng Talay. The fair will provide an opportunity for farmers to exchange knowledge, learn from experts and showcase their animals and products. “The main goal of the event is to urge goat farmers to continue…

  • Phuket NewsHuman trafficking “caretaker’ turns himself in

    Human trafficking “caretaker’ turns himself in

    PHUKET: A human-trafficking ‘caretaker’ handed himself in to police north of Phuket on June 2. Alee Banjob, 35, from Ranong, was wanted for his connection to a human-trafficking network operating in his home province, explained Kanokpol Pimthong, Deputy Director of Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) in Phang Nga Province. Mr Alee’s surrender follows the October 14 arrest of Songphol ‘Boss…

  • Phuket NewsPRBC launches World Blood Donor Day event

    PRBC launches World Blood Donor Day event

    PHUKET: The Phuket Regional Blood Center (PRBC) has invited all qualified island residents to make blood donations in recognition of World Blood Donor Day this month. World Blood Donor Day, on June 14, falls on the birthday of Dr Karl Landsteiner, who is known for his discovery of the main blood groups and their classifications, PRBC Chief Pornthip Rattajak told…

  • Phuket NewsMaimed sea turtle rescued in Phuket

    Maimed sea turtle rescued in Phuket

    PHUKET: A maimed sea turtle was rescued off Mai Khao Beach and taken to the Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC) in Cape Panwa yesterday afternoon. PMBC experts examined the turtle and concluded that it had mostly likely been caught in a fishing net for at least three days before it was rescued. “The turtle looked very weak. It might have…

  • Phuket NewsOutrageously high water bill prompts official warning

    Outrageously high water bill prompts official warning

    PHUKET: Leaky water pipes landed a Rassada resident with a more than 16,000-baht water bill to pay, prompting Phuket authorities to issue a home maintenance advisory to all island dwellers. Pornsak Saengsri was stunned to receive a 16,829-baht water bill for the month of May after having become accustomed to paying a maximum of 200 baht to keep the water…

  • Phuket NewsBody of foreigner found in Rawai yet to be identified | Thaiger

    Body of foreigner found in Rawai yet to be identified

    PHUKET: Police have yet to identify a male foreigner whose body was discovered near Baan Krating Phuket Resort in Rawai two weeks ago (story here). The body was found near an empty bottle of alcohol, and had a wound on one leg resembling an animal bite. “We have done our best so far. We have used social media to share…

  • Phuket NewsVideo Report: Cyclists roll up for Southern Criterium

    Video Report: Cyclists roll up for Southern Criterium

    PHUKET: The first-ever Southern Criterium attracted more than 300 cyclists to the shores of Phuket and finished without a hitch on May 30, with competitors and organizers already amped up for next year’s edition. Spectators and racers from all around the nation were watching the event results closely at Saphan Hin, as members of the Thailand National Team and professional…

  • Phuket NewsHuman remains found in Patong Hills

    Human remains found in Patong Hills

    PHUKET: The decaying remains of a human body were found by a field worker in the hills above Patong yesterday afternoon. “The bones were found by a man who was hired to clear grass in a local orchard about one kilometer from Soi Prabaramee 3,” explained Patong Police Superintendent Chaiwat Auikam. No identifying evidence was found at the site. “At…

  • OpinionOpinion: Stop national park plunder

    Opinion: Stop national park plunder

    PHUKET: The recent request by the Sirinath Marine National Park chief to invoke Article 44 of the interim Charter in order to speed up the investigation and prosecution of long-standing land encroachment cases raises important questions and concerns. Use of Article 44 would speed up the judicial process in encroachment cases already in the court system and hasten the Land…

  • Phuket NewsSouth African tourist caught in Phuket insurance scam

    South African tourist caught in Phuket insurance scam

    PHUKET: A South African tourist was arrested after he was caught trying to scam his insurance company on Saturday. “On Saturday afternoon, Laurie Viljoen Botha, 33, filed a police complaint claiming that items in his hotel room at Sino Imperial Hotel in Phuket Town had been stolen. Additionally, he claimed that he had been robbed while walking on the street…

  • Phuket NewsVideo Report: Police arrest Korean gambling racketeers in Phuket

    Video Report: Police arrest Korean gambling racketeers in Phuket

    PHUKET: Police are searching for the head of an online gambling operation after eight Koreans were caught on Wednesday running a gambling site out of an apartment in Phuket. The arrests follow a report in March from police in Bangkok about the gambling racket. Phuket Police have been on the trail ever since, said Phuket Provincial Police Commander Patchara Boonyasit.…

  • Phuket NewsRotary Club of Patong Beach wins top award for service

    Rotary Club of Patong Beach wins top award for service

    PHUKET: The Rotary Club of Patong Beach (RcoPB) has won Rotary Thailand’s highest service award, the HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn Trophy, for its involvement in three projects to help the children of Burmese migrant workers and sea gypsies. Youthlinc, the main project undertaken by RCoPB for which it received the award, focused on improving facilities at the Burmese Learning…

  • Phuket NewsNACC names names in corruption investigations

    NACC names names in corruption investigations

    PHUKET: The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) named names as it started gunning for local officials tangled up in millions of baht worth of infrastructure and illegal land issuance scandals in Phuket. At the top of the list of 17 cases cited at a meeting led by Wicha Mahakun, spokesman for the NACC, on Saturday was that of former Phuket Governor…

  • Phuket NewsCake-box drug runner busted in Phuket

    Cake-box drug runner busted in Phuket

    PHUKET: A Trang drug runner was arrested at a Phuket bus stop in possession of about 1 million baht worth of methamphetamine stuffed into a cake box last week. Aorrathai Iadwong, 20, confessed to police that she had been paid to bring the drugs to Phuket by a drug dealer in Trang, whose name she has claimed not to know.…

  • Phuket NewsLottery ticket prices to drop to 80 baht in Phuket

    Lottery ticket prices to drop to 80 baht in Phuket

    PHUKET: Lottery tickets on the island will no longer legally be allowed to be sold for more than 80 baht starting on June 3, Governor Nisit Jansomwong said at a meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall on Friday. The meeting with local officials follows Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha’s decision to replace the Government Lottery Office’s board on May 1 by…

  • Phuket NewsGhost riding motorist killed by pick-up in Phuket

    Ghost riding motorist killed by pick-up in Phuket

    PHUKET: A ghost-rider making a u-turn on Phuket’s busy Thepkrasattri Road was killed after being hit by a pick-up truck in Koh Kaew last night. Rescue workers arrived at the scent to find the body of Ittawa Promrang, 42, laying in the road, against the curb. The 34-year-old driver of the pick-up truck, Nuntawat Suwansang, was still at the scene,…

  • Phuket NewsMan killed in Phuket Town over “bad’ dance moves

    Man killed in Phuket Town over “bad’ dance moves

    PHUKET: Five men were arrested yesterday evening for the stabbing death of a man in Phuket Town earlier that morning. The fatal argument that led to the death of Sayompoo Kuomsup, 21, and his friend Sompong Boonrak, 21, being seriously injured, stemmed from an issue with their dance moves at the ‘At Time’ pub. Police named the men arrested for…

  • Phuket NewsPatong stabbing leaves ‘drinking mate’ dead

    Patong stabbing leaves ‘drinking mate’ dead

    PHUKET: A man was stabbed to death in Patong after getting into a drunken row with a fellow drinker early this morning. When police arrived at the scene at about 3:45am, they found a heavily tattooed man dead on the ground at a house on Soi Paradise. “We checked the body of Somkit Jandawong, 27, and found that he had…

  • Phuket NewsNo gap-guarantee as Phuket lifeguard contract policy remains unchanged

    No gap-guarantee as Phuket lifeguard contract policy remains unchanged

    PHUKET: No change in policies in the Phuket lifeguard contract means there are no guarantees that lifeguards won’t walk from the sands again as their contract expires and the dangerous southwest monsoon season begins anew in 2016. “We want the public to be confident about their safety. However, we cannot change the laws or system for the bidding process. We…

  • Phuket NewsArticle 44 tabled to return ‘stolen’ Phuket park land

    Article 44 tabled to return ‘stolen’ Phuket park land

    PHUKET: Officials have requested the use of Article 44 of the interim Charter to reclaim national park land that was illegally commandeered by investors, the Sirinath National Park chief told the Phuket Gazette. The news follows a meeting on Thursday at the Sirinath National Park Office, during which both Phuket and national officials discussed the progress of an ongoing investigation…

  • Thai LifeTopping charter charts

    Topping charter charts

    PHUKET: Northrop & Johnson Asia won the distinguished ‘Best Asia-based Charter Company’ award at the 2015 Asia Boating Awards in Hong Kong earlier this month. Created by Asia-Pacific Boating and China Boating magazines in 2005, the annual Asia Boating Awards recognize the best in the Asian maritime industry and beyond. The awards serve as a benchmark for the industry in…

  • FoodHead to hotcake heaven

    Head to hotcake heaven

    PHUKET: Ever wonder what life would be like if all of your favorite foods were made with pancakes? Well, wonder no more. With the moto ‘If there is no pancakes in heaven, I am not going’, the Pancake Corner is making flapjack fantasies a reality with their inventive and creative menu of pancake-themed delights that are available all day, and…

  • EntertainmentBooks: Failed search for next giant

    Books: Failed search for next giant

    PHUKET: I’ve long sought for the successors to the twentieth century giants of Brazilian literature, Jorge Amado and Erico Verissimo. So far, I’ve failed. Daniel Galera’s novel Blood-Drenched Beard (The Penguin Press, New York, 2014, 374pp) is the latest disappointment. The prose is pedestrian, the pace leaden and the plot improbable, shading into preposterous. The entire mess limps along in…

  • Thai LifeLooking Back: Friar fights way to Siam

    Looking Back: Friar fights way to Siam

    PHUKET: Throughout his life, King Naresuan fought many wars with the Burmese in order to liberate Siam from their control. Toward the end of his reign, in the year 1600, Siam had recovered its independence and peace was restored. During this time, the king worked to restore foreign trade for the Kingdom. Due to ongoing wars between Burma and Cambodia,…